Monday book report

Some books that have landed on my desk recently, making me feel a little guilty about eating so much Easter candy, but not guilty enough to stop:

“The Skinny On Losing Weight Without Being Hungry” by Louis J. Aronne, M.D., with Alisa Bowman (Broadway Books, $24.95): Aronne, the founder and director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, believes that weight loss isn’t about willpower but about biology, that it can be difficult to lose weight when the body can’t detect when you’re full. He offers an easy-to-understand explanation of his theory and instructions on what to eat to maintain a weight-loss program, including recipes. (Publication date March 24.)

“Brain Surgeon: A Doctor’s Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles” by Keith Black and Arnold Mann (Wellness Central, $24.99): Black details his experiences growing up African-American in the South during the Civil Rights era, becoming a neurosurgeon, learning about the complexities of the brain and treating patients. The authors are careful not to use too much medical jargon, and the result is a fascinating peek inside the world of high-stakes medicine. (Publication date March 25.)

“The Denim Diet: Sixteen Simple Habits to Get You into Your Dream Pair of Jeans” by Kami Gray (New World Library, $14.95): Gray isn’t a doctor, a personal trainer or a dietician. She’s a TV and film wardrobe stylist and set designer who lost a lot of weight and wanted to share her story. Her weight-loss tips aren’t groundbreaking, but her casual prose style and personal stories make “The Denim Diet” an enjoyable read. She also includes some tips about dieting in an environmentally friendly way.